Florida Firefighter Dies Days After Cardiac Event

A 50-year-old career lieutenant with the North Port (Florida) Fire Department died May 1 after suffering an aortic dissection more than a week previously.

According to the United States Fire Administration, Jeffrey B. Newland suffered his fatal medical emergency on April 23 approximately four hours after ending a shift that included several emergency response calls.

Newland was treated and transported to the local hospital and then flown to Health Park Hospital for specialized care where he remained for just over a week before succumbing to his injury.

According to a newspaper report published by the Herald Tribune, had been on life support since his medical emergency.

The newspaper reported that Newland had begun his career as a firefighter/paramedic at North Port Fire Rescue in January 2000. He was promoted to lieutenant eight years later and was most recently assigned as an “A” shift station officer at Station 82 on North Port Boulevard. He had served in the Navy and the Navy Reserves for 20 years.

Newland is survived by a partner Beverly Ward, a son Clayton, 6; a step-son Colton, 17; his mother Jane and a brother Jim.